"A" Force in the desert WW2

Discussion in 'North Africa & the Med' started by AT022, May 14, 2017.

  1. mac657

    mac657 Junior Member

    I've got a copy of the excellent "The SAS and LRDG Roll of Honour, 1941-47" by Ex-Lance Corporal X, QGM and i recently read an entry that mentioned A force. The entry was not about A force instead it was about a SAS or LRDG member but i remember the entry stating that they escorted A force on an operation of some description.

    I'll go back and look for the entry. I appreciate it won't further your research much but may be interesting background.

    Mac.
     
    Mags53 and Tullybrone like this.
  2. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi Mac,

    I've sent the OP a message to alert him to your post as he hasn't been on the forum for over a year. Hopefully he will
    get it and reply.

    Steve

    PS

    I understand that the SAS LRDG Roll of Honour book is an excellent read.

    Who knows maybe the anonymous author will see your post one day, via the wonders of a google search, and appreciate the feedback.
     
  3. Frog Prince

    Frog Prince Member

    Andreas likes this.
  4. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

  5. vitellino

    vitellino Senior Member

  6. Allan Chance

    Allan Chance Member

    Hi Sorry to jump in your thread , but need some help as I cannot seem to find the Create Post button , could someone help? I have posted previously

    Allan
     
  7. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Hi Allan,

    There should be a Post New Thread button in the upper right, when you are looking at one of the forums, like "General".
     
  8. Allan Chance

    Allan Chance Member

    Hi thanks found it
     
    Chris C likes this.
  9. Alamein311042

    Alamein311042 Member

    Greetings,
    Just adding to this old post. I dont know if the original poster stills monitors this feed.
    I have just reviewed the service records on behalf of the RATS of Tobruk Association here in Australia.
    Whilst the temrnology differ slightly to what I see on Australia service records (B103) I have assumed that posted equates to attached.
    Happy to see any feedback on errors I may have made:

    2657032 MILLBURN Thomas Cooper
    Rank : Guardsman
    3rd Coldstream Guards
    Born: 23 May 1915
    Enlisted: 27 May 1935
    Location: Lancaster, UK


    Service Details :
    Palestine (1936)
    In 1936, the Arab Revolt broke out in the British Mandate of Palestine. British troops were dispatched, ending the first phase of the war by the close of the year. Fighting soon resumed and reached its zenith during the summer of 1938. With rising tensions in Europe, the British began to withdraw troops from Palestine for use elsewhere. The conclusion of the Munich Agreement—on 30 September 1938—calmed the rising tensions in Europe and averted war, allowing the British to resume their military build-up in Palestine.
    England (1936-37)
    Palestine (1938-39)
    Egypt (1939)

    • attached 06 Sep 1941 HQ 70th Infantry Division
    • attached 02 Feb 1942 General Head Quarters Middle-East Forces
    • attached 14 May 1942 Advanced Head Quarters 'A" Force
    • attached 08 Sep 1942 Intelligence Corps Depot & Field Security Wing
    • transferred 25 Oct 1942 Intelligence Corps Rank: Private
    Based on the above service details this would place the soldier in Tobruk from Sep 1941 and therefore a RAT OF Tobruk.

    Notes :
    The 70th Infantry Division was an infantry division of the British Army that fought during the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. What would become the 70th Division originated with the 7th Infantry Division, which was formed in 1938 to serve in the British Mandate of Palestine during the Arab Revolt. This division then transferred to Egypt on the outbreak of the Second World War and soon became the 6th Infantry Division, which went on to take part in the Battle of Crete and the Syria–Lebanon Campaign. On 10 October 1941, the 6th Division was re-created as the 70th Infantry Division, in an attempt to deceive Axis intelligence concerning the strength of British forces in the Middle East. The Royal Navy transported the division to Tobruk from 19 September to 25 October, in a politically controversial move to relieve the mainly Australian garrison which had been defending the port for almost seven months, since the beginning of the siege of Tobruk.
     
    dbf likes this.
  10. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Alamein,

    The opening post author was logged in last in May 2017, it appears he was here for a couple of days and then nowt. He did get a reminder to check in July 2018, but it appears he never re-engaged here.
     
  11. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

    It wasn't just political, but also a military/naval challenge, as it imposed considerable strain on the Royal Navy and the Tobruk Run. HMS Latona was lost as she went to pick up 2/13 Battalion, which is why that was the only Australian unit to get out of Tobruk by land.

    German/Italian Reports on Sinking of HMS Latona, 25 Oct 1941

    All the best

    Andreas
     

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